Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards have secured a landmark two-year deal with Netflix to continue their flagship sports podcast through the 2026-27 Premier League season and Euro 2028. The agreement caps a breakthrough period for 'The Rest Is Football,' which became a global phenomenon during its intensive coverage of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The show's World Cup success proved decisive in winning the extended partnership. Operating from a dedicated studio in New York, the trio produced over 40 daily episodes that resonated with millions of viewers worldwide. That momentum convinced Netflix executives to embed the show into their sports content strategy for the foreseeable future. Rather than maintain the daily format, the new agreement shifts to a sustainable weekly schedule with episodes dropping every Monday and Friday, starting in August when the Premier League kicks off on August 21.
Expanding Coverage Across European Football
The two-year Netflix contract extends beyond domestic league football. Episodes will cover the full 40-week football calendar, offering in-depth analysis of both Premier League matches and Champions League fixtures. Additionally, the deal encompasses Euro 2028, which will be staged across the UK and Ireland—giving Lineker and his colleagues prime positioning for another major tournament cycle.
Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger Productions, emphasized how the show's authenticity drove its appeal. "We began from such a strong position because Gary, Alan and Micah are genuinely close friends who talk about football together constantly," he stated. "Netflix allowed us to preserve everything that makes the show special: sometimes serious, frequently hilarious, but always genuine and warm." This formula—blending expert analysis with unscripted chemistry—has proven more valuable than traditional punditry formats in the streaming era.
Lineker himself credited the World Cup experience for catalyzing Netflix's confidence in the partnership. "The response was incredible, so it's great to be back on Netflix every week throughout the Premier League season," the former England striker remarked. He promised audiences "plenty of opinions, plenty of laughs and, with Alan and Micah involved, probably a few arguments as well." The original podcast will continue in parallel, extending the show's reach across multiple platforms and consumption habits.
Since its launch in August 2023, 'The Rest Is Football' has become the third iteration of personality-driven football content, following the earlier World Cup success that prompted the permanent podcast. By securing prominent placement on a global streaming giant, Lineker and his team exemplify how specialist sports commentary has shifted toward individual voices and authentic dialogue rather than corporate broadcasting structures. With the 2026-27 campaign looming, their guaranteed platform represents both a personal triumph and a broader signal that premium football analysis now thrives on streaming rather than traditional television.
